Gasoline-reserve-supply apparatus



July 1.1, 1923.

. 1.461.805 J. H. PARSON$ GKSOLINE RESERVE SUPPLY APPARATUS Fil ed Oct. 24. 1921 ,1

2 Shoots-Sheet 2 fingoLlh 5 9".

Patented July 17, 1923.

N l l) S ii'f lAhlahdfi i it; E

JOHN HAYWARD PARSONS, F FERNDALE, MICHIGAN.

Application filed October 24, 1921. Serial No. 510,137.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that 1, JOHN H. Pnnsoivs, a citizen of the United States, and residing at Ferndale, county of Oakland, and State Another object of this invention is to arrange the suction pipe leading from the gasoline tank to the carburetorso that gasoline is at all times drawn ofi' fromthe bottom of the tank, thereby-preventing the accumulation of water or fuel of low gravity at the bottom of the tank to render the re serve supply of inferior quality to the main supply of gasoline.

A further object of my invention is the provision of simple and comparatively inexpensive means for preventing the consumption of the full supply of fuel by the engine without first requiring the driver to operate the mechanism to permit the use of the reserve supply and thereby calling his attention to the fact that it is necessary to obtain a fresh supply of gasoline, such means being adaptable for ready insertion into the threaded socket ordinarily used for connecting the gasoline tankwith the vacuum feed tank adjacent the carburetor or with the carburetor direct when a pressure system is employed.

The above and other objects of myinvention will be apparent from the following description wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of my invention, and wherein similar reference numerals designate similar views.

In the drawings 1- i i i Fig. l is a central sectional view through my improved gasoline reserve supply apparatus in position upon the gasoline sup ply tank;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken parts throughout the several substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, the ports for permitting the breaking of the vacuum, as hereinafter explained, being shown in open position;

Fig. 3 is a similar view with the ports closed to prevent breaking of the vacuum by air within the tank;

Fig. 4; is a central sectional view similar to Fig. 1, of a slightly modified form of my reserve supply apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. i;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatical view, with parts in section showing a form of my. reserve supply apparatus arranged so that the reserve supply can be brought into use by turning a valve mounted on the dash-board of an automobile;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of such valve with the dash-board shown in section, and

Fig. 8 is a detail front view of the dashboard and valve.

Referring now to the drawings the numeral 5 designates a gasoline supplytank of the ordinary or any desired construction having an internally threaded socket 6 welded or otherwise secured to the upper surface thereof for the reception of the threaded lower extremity of the valve casing 7 arranged also to form a connection for the rear extremity of the pipe line 8 leading to the usual vacuum tank or to the carburetor. As herein shown the extremity of the pipe line is flared, as at 9, to fit over the tapered extremity of the threaded portion 7 of the valve casing, and being pressed tightly against same by the flared wall of the nipple 10. This is the standards. ApE. form of solderless union for rendering carburetor tubing connections air tight, but it is to be understood that any desired form of connection may be employed that will serve the same purpose. I

Extending vertically through the valve casing '7 and downwardly to'a position adjacentthe. lower wall of the tank is the feed pipe 11. which, in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1. 2 and 3, is divided. substantially centrally by a longitudinal wall 12; -A port 13 is arranged to register with theopening in the portion 7 of the valve cas ing leading to the pipe line 8, and thereby connects one compartmentofthe feed pipe 11 with the pipe line. A port 14 is arranged in the wall of the opposite compartment of the feed pipea shortdistance from the lower extremity thereof, this, port being spaced a predetermined distance above the bottom and being normally submerged in the liquid fuel until the level of such fuel falls to the height of such port; Upper ports 15 and 16 are arranged inthe opposite com partments of the'feed pipe adjacent their uppermost extremities and apertures 15 and 16 in the valve casing respectively connect these upper ports with a channel 17 formed in the internal wall of the rotatable valve member 18 and partially encircling the same, as can be best seen in Figs; 1 and 2. The valve member 18 is provided with a lever orth-umb piece 19 to enables-its rotationyto a position closing one of the upper ports 15 or 16, substantially as shown in Fig. 3.

With theconstruction; illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 the liquid gasoline is drawnoff from thebottom of the tank 5 throughthe compartment of the feed pipe 11 connected with the pipe. line 8, through: which suction may be applied toli-ft the fuel; in the usualtmane ner of vacuum, feed systems, orthe liquid can betforced therethronghi by pressure in the usual manner of pressure feed'systems. In either case the liquid is fed-through one compartment of the feed. pipe 11 to the pipe line 8 and thence tothe carburetor of the engine with or without the interventionof a vacuum tank. This feeding ofthe liquid is. continued in this manner as long as the level of the liquid remains above that of the port; 14 in the oppositecompartment of the feed; pipe 11 hen the liquid level falls sulficiently to permit the entrance of air into the port 14: the air will be drawn through the right hand compartment of the feed pipe in 1 to the port 16, thence around the channel 17 to the port 15v in the left hand compartment whence itenters the pipe line 8' and breaks the vacuum or pressure therein by providing-a path. whereby air can be drawn into the pipe line more easily than can liquid gasoline. hen this occurs the feeding of fuel from the tank 5 to the carburetor ceases until the valve member 18 is rotated to close one of the ports 15 or 16 to stop. the passage of air to the pipe line 8. Thereupon the liquid gasoline remaining in the tank below the port 14 will be drawn into the pipe line 8 through the same compartment of the feed ing on its threaded upper extremity the nipple, 10*" holding the rear extremity of the pipe line 8 in airtight engagement with the valve casing The feed pipe 11*" is preferably formed substantially of the shape shown in Fig. 5- and has its upper extremity mounted in the valve casing in alignment with the pipe line 8 so that suction will draw gasoline from the bottom of the tank 5 through the entire lengthof the feed pipe. The port 24; in the feed pipe. 11 opens into the passage 25 in the valve casing, which in turn opens into the channel 17 of the rot-at able valve member 18*; The port 26 diametrically opposite the passage 25 in the wall of the valve casing connects the chainnel 17 with the passageway 27' preferably formed by pressing inwardly one-side of the tube forming-the feed pipe-11 (seethe level of the liquid in the tank 5 falls sufliciently. A sl-eeve28 of suflicient lengthto reach to a predetermined level adjacent the bottom of the tank 5 is arranged to en= circle the feed pipe 11 and is preferably secured in the lower portion of the socket 6 so as to. form a: continuation of the inner wall of the valve casing.

The operation of the embodiment illustrated in FigsAt'and' 5 is a-sfollow-s:-The liquid gasoline is. drawn from the bottom of the tank 5ethrough the feed pipe 11 and pipe line 8 to the vacuum tankor carburetor of the engine as longas the level of theli'quid in the tank 5 remains above the lowerextremity of :thesleeve 28. When, however, the liquid falls below the sleeve 28, air-is drawn into the passageway between the in:- ner wall of the sleeve 28and the inbent portion 11 and passes through the port 26, channel 17*, passage 25 and port 24 into the feed pipe 11", thereby breaking the vacuum. The liquid flow is thus out off and the driveris warned by the action of his carburetor within a short time thereafter that. his gasoline supply is becoming low. Or if he fails to note the carburetors action he will be forced to come to a stop afterdr-iyi'ng a shortdistance because of the consumptionof all of the gasoline in the vacuum tank. He must then turn the valvemember 18 to a position closing one of the ports 24 or 26', whereupon the air passage is: closed and suction in'thepipe line. 8 -will serve tov draw: liquid gasoline from the reserve. supply at the'bottom of the tank 5 below the sleeve 28, To limit the rotation of the valve-membeb-18I'preferably provide a lug-:37 arranged to contact the stop pin 38 at'the extremes ofi'ts move.-

ment.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs 6 7 and St utilizes a feed: pipe: 11 divided} longiwith three passageways radiating from the central portion. Thepipe line 8 is preferably connected withthe central of these passageways 32 at theright side of the casing 29 as herein illustrated. A port 14: is .posi- *tioned in the opposite compartment ofthe feed pipe 11 at any desired height above the bottom of the tank 5 and an upper port 15 connects this compartment with the bypass pipe 33 connecting the left hand portions of the T shaped valve casings 7 and29.

The valve 341: issuitably seated in the easing 29 and provided with threeradial pas sages adapted to connect the passageways 3'1, 32 and 33 when in the position shown in Fig. 6. This position is the one maintained when the main supply of gasoline is being drawn from the tank 5. In operation the liquid gasoline is drawn upwardly from adjacent the bottom of the tank 5 through i the right hand compartment of the feed pipe 11 into the pipe line 8, passageways 31 and 32 of the valve casing 29, into the continuation 8 of the pipe line leading to the vacuum tank or carburetor. This action continues until the liquid level-falls below the port 14 in the opposite compartment of the feed pipe 11, whereupon air is drawn through such compartment into the bypass pipe 33 and the passageway 32 of the valve casing 29, breaking the vacuum and thereby stopping the flow of the liquid gasoline. The engine will thereupon give warning, as h-ereinbefore described, that the fuel supply is low. The valve 34 can then beretated by grasping the knob 35 thereof and turning it through a quarter revolution,

thereby moving the radial passage of the valve 3 L opening into-the bypass 33, as shown 1 j in Fig. 6, into position to open into the central passageway 31 of the valve casing 29, and simultaneousy swinging the passage formerly'opening into the central passage 31 into position to register with the right hand passageway 32. The left hand passageway 33 is closed by this movement of the valve 3t, thereby preventing the entrance of airto the pipe line 8 to further prevent the formation of a. vacuum to draw upliquid fuel.

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated a dial adapted to be mounted on the dash-board 30 with a pointer 36 mounted on the stem of the valve 34: to show whether the main or reserve suppv of gasoline is being drawn upon.

\Vhile it will be apparent that the illustrated embodiments of my invention herein disclosed are well calculated to adequately fulfill the objects and advantages primarily stated, it is to be understood that the inven tion is susceptible to variation, modification and change within the spiritand scope of the subjoined claims.

' Having described my invention I claim 1. In a device of the character described, a tank adapted to contain fuel, a feed pipe mounted therein with its lower extremity ad-' ja-cent the bottom of the tank and its upper extremity projecting above the tank, the upper portion of the feed pipe having a port therein exterior of the tank, the upper portion ofthe feed pipe having a. second port thereiniopeningointo a pipe line through whichfuel is adapted to be conveyed to the engine, means for admitting air from with-;

in'the tank to saidfirst-mentioned port to break the flow of fuel through the pipe line when the fuel level falls to a predetermined plane, and means for rendering said last named means inoperative at will to resume feeding of fuel through the pipe line.

2. In a device of the character described, a tank adapted to contain fuel, a'feed pipe mounted therein with its lower extremity adjacent the bottom of the tank and its upper extremity projecting above the tank, the upper portion of'the feed pipe having a port therein exterior of the tank, the upper portion of the feed pipe having a second port therein opening into a pipe line through which fuel is adapted to be conveyed to the engine, means for admitting air from within the tank to said first-mentioned port to break the flow of fuel through the pipe line when the fuel level falls to a predetermined plane, and means for closing said first-mentioned port at will to resume feeding of fuel through the pipe line.

3. In a device of the character described, a tank adapted to contain fuel, a feed pipe mounted therein with its lower extremity adjacent the bottom of the tank and its upper extremity projecting above the tank, the upper portion of the feed pipe having a port therein exterior of the tank, the upper portion of the feed pipe having a second port therein opening into a pipe line througlrwhich fuel is adapted to be con veyed to the engine, means for admitting air from within the tank to said first-mentioned port to break the flow of fuel through the pipe line when the fuel level falls to a predetermined plane, a valve encircling the upper portion of the feed pipe and rotatable to close said first-mentioned port to permit resumption of the flow of fuel through the pipe line.

4. In a device of the character described, a tank adapted to contain fuel, a feed pipe; mounted therein with its lower extremity adjacent the bottom of the tank and its up- N pen extremity projecting" above the, tank.

theyupper portion; 0]: the feed pipe, having a zzort:therein exterior of the tank,, the upper portion ofthe feedpipewhaving sec-- 'ond port therein opening into a: pipe line through which fuel is adapted to: be; con-- veyed to the engine, a passageway exterior.-

of the feed pipe for admitting air from withinthe tank to said" firstmentionedport to break; the flow of fuel; through the: pipe line, and a; valve rotatable about: the upperportionof? the feed pipe and adapted to close said: passageway to permit resumption of the flow oft-fuel.

5. In a deviceoi the character described,

a: tank adapted to contain flue-l, a feed pipe mounted therein with its lower extremity adjacent the bottom of the V tank and lts. upper; extremity projecting: above the tank; the

upper'portion ofthefeed pipe havin aport therein'exterion of the tank, a pipe line cons nected with the'upper'pontion: oithe feedpipe throughwvhich fuel is adapted to be conveyed to the engine, a tube extending- 1 from within the tank to a position above the tank adjacent said portzinthe feed pipe,

said tube havinga port exterior of-thetank,

l p'ortthereinexterior Oct-the tank, apipeline connected with the upper-portion of the feed pipe through which fuel is adapted'fto be conveyed: vto I the engine, a tube. extending from within the tank to a position above the,

"tank adjacent said port in the feedrpiipe,

said; tube having a porteXterio-rofthe, tan-k, avalve rotatable about the feed pipe ancl said tubeand: having a ohannel'i n its inner wall adapted? when in one POSltlOilriSO: con-' nectthe ports in: said tube and feed pipe,

means for rotating said valve to close one, of

said? ports, and means for maintaining the valve in either of SEtl'Cl positions; I

7 In a device of the characterdescribed, a tank. adapted to contain tueha feed pipe mounted therein with its lower extremityadrjiacent; the: bottom of the tankand', its: ups

per extremity: projecting above thcitanki, the, upper: portion ofwthe: feed p pe having? a;

be conveyed to the engine, a tube extending from within-the tank to a: position above the tankadjacent said portinthe feed pipe,sa1-d:

tube having aport exterior of the tank, a

valve rotatable about the feed pipe and said tube and having a channel in its inner wall adapted when, in one position to connectthe ports insaid'tube and feed pipe, means for: rotating said valve to close; one of'said ports, and aspring-engaging the valve to maintain it in either of said positions.

8. In adev-ice-- of the character described; a tank having a. threaded socket mounted therein, a, valvecasing threaded into said socket a feed pipe-mounted in the casingand e tending tronr above the tank to ad j acent the bottom thereon, said teed; pipeybee ing divided longitudinally into; con1part- Inen-ts a pipe lineadapted to receive fuel from one;- of said: compartments, such conipa-rtinent also having port therein above thevconnectionvwit-h the pipe line, the other compartment of the feed pipe .havingan upper port adjacent; the portv in the first men,-

tionedcompartment and a lower ort spaced" cent the bottom thereof, said feed pipe being divided longitudinally into compartments, a pipe line adapted to receive fuel from one of said compartments, such conipartment also having a port therein above thelconneetion with, the pipe; line, the other compartment of the feed pipe having an upper port? adjacent, the port inthe' first mentioned compartment and a, lower port spaced a predetermined distance frornthe bottom of the tank, a valve seated upon-0111c I valve casing and; having a curved channel in its inner wall adapted When in one: position to connectthe-uppenports of both compartments, saidvalve. beingrotatable at. will toa position closing; one of said ports. 7

JQHN HAYWVARD PARSONS.

C. Ginntallies.v 

